without question, michael sinnott is one of the most gregarious and kindhearted kids that have come through columbia. truly someone that will be missed.

i also want our friends here to know that another fellow columbian died this week. Garland English '04 died recently. a great friend, an inspiring person, and a representation of all that is good about columbia.

this is a very sad week, but it is great to know that they lived such wonderful lives however short they were.

I didn't know him but he was in one of my classes. He seemed very lively and smart... You never would have guessed anything was wrong with him. What a huge surprise. My condolences to his family and friends.

What was the condition? It's always a little odd when someone dies that young and no reason is given for their demise.

I've found that in most situations when the death of a young(er) person isn't given is usually suicide or a drug overdose. Families usually don't want to advertise that their loved ones had some active participation in their own death.

Though I'm sure the people that knew and liked Michael Sinnott who weren't close enough to him to know the situation have got to be wondering why he's dead.

"I’ve found that in most situations when the death of a young(er) person isn’t given is usually suicide or a drug overdose. Families usually don’t want to advertise that their loved ones had some active participation in their own death."

You don't see how this quote could be offensive to a grieving family? Bwog posted this not to invite speculation into how the student died, but rather to inform us and to allow us to send our condolences to the family. Insinuating that he may have committed suicide or was on drugs is completely disrespectful, especially considering that we know nothing of his medical history.

insinuating anything. It's just a statement of fact that those are two categories of deaths that are not usually "publicized" (if you will) when they occur, as opposed to, say, a fatality caused by an accident or sickness.

Regardless, that doesn't take away the fact that people (especially those that knew him) just may be more than a bit curious as to why one of their own all of a sudden up and died, especially when no reason is given.

i do not believe it is my place to share his condition (if his family believed it important, they would have in their statements), but i'll confirm it wasn't drug use, and frankly those of us who knew him would ask each other and not speculate on some internet board.

it is a private matter, and idle speculation is very insulting to his memory.

If being provided with a cause of death is the only way you'll respond with "wow, that's really sad," then you're just an ass. You don't have to know everything, especially private details about someone else's life.

We should know, if it's something dangerous and contagious like meningitis or HIV, then the student body deserves to know. Maybe someone dated him or shared a room with him. Either way, what a horrid shock to the community. My heart goes out to his family.

I am a family member. GS 08 said the causes. If you were to ever know Michael you would know that he is not the type to ever commit suicide and he had a successful life ahead of him. He was loved and cared for very much and anyone who has ever met him can only wish to be as intelligent and fearless as him. He was an amazing person and was loved very much. He taught me so much and I know he will be missed. We love you Michael.